De Mochilas [EN]

In this episode of DeMochilas, we take a break from exploring the city to create something different: a homemade Mexican experience in Busan.After the festival, I decided to cook alambre, a traditional dish made with meat, vegetables, and cheese, to share with friends. What seemed simple quickly turned into an adventure; finding ingredients in a different country, adapting to what’s available, and dealing with unexpected prices for everyday items.From searching for tortillas and peppers to replacing ingredients like lime and avocado, the process became part of the experience. Even preparing something as familiar as food felt completely new.The result wasn’t just about the dish, it was about the moment: watching a game together, talking, laughing, and creating a space that felt like home, even thousands of kilometers away.This chapter is about connection: how food can bring people together and turn an ordinary day into something memorable.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the Fluxer community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, an unexpected moment turns into one of the most memorable experiences of the trip in Busan.What started as a normal day quickly changed when we discovered a beach festival happening that same night. Without planning it, we found ourselves surrounded by people, new friends, and a completely different atmosphere, sharing food, drinks, and conversations on the sand.The experience was simple but powerful: a picnic that turned into a crowded festival filled with energy, music, and fireworks. It was also a reminder of how travel can connect you with people in the most unexpected ways, even in a place where you initially know no one.From meeting exchange students to navigating the chaos of a packed beach, this chapter is about spontaneity—those moments you don’t plan but end up defining your trip.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the Fluxer community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

I went to Viveros on a Monday morning with the sky about to break. I did the full loop, walked through the flower market, and made my way to the Centro, not knowing that a few days later the park would be closed due to flooding and risk of tree collapse.Coyoacán is massive, and what most people know is just a fraction of it. On this walk I found things I remembered, some things that were no longer there, and a city that can change completely from one day to the next.In this episode I talk about how that day went, what surprised me, what I missed, and why this is just the first of several chapters on Coyoacán.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: https://mikel.world📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikelMateosC💬 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/hNG6UJXhPY🎒 Fluxer: https://fluxer.gg/bgkcyAQd🐦 X: https://x.com/MikelMateosC📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we explore one of the most visually unique places in Busan: Gamcheon Culture Village, a hillside neighborhood transformed into a cultural and artistic space.Walking through its narrow streets feels like moving inside a living painting, colorful houses stacked along the hills, murals, small galleries, and viewpoints that reveal both the sea and the city. But beyond the visuals, Gamcheon tells a deeper story about community, transformation, and how spaces can evolve over time.As we move through the village, every turn offers something different: art installations, quiet corners, and moments that invite you to slow down and observe. It’s not just a place to take photos. It’s a place to understand how creativity reshapes identity.This chapter is about perspective: how a neighborhood becomes an experience, and how walking without a rush allows you to truly connect with a place.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the Fluxer community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we leave Jeju behind and arrive in Busan, a coastal city that quickly changes the pace of the journey.From the moment we arrive, the atmosphere feels different; more dynamic, more connected, and with a stronger sense of daily life moving around us. Transportation, communication, and planning become more relevant as distances grow and the city opens up with more options.Busan introduces a new rhythm: balancing time, deciding where to go, and learning how to navigate a place that feels both welcoming and complex at the same time. It’s also where meeting local people begins to shape the experience in a completely different way.This chapter is about transition, moving from a calm island to a vibrant city, adapting to new challenges, and setting the tone for everything that comes next in Korea.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the Fluxer community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

We left Mexico City on a Tuesday morning and less than two hours later we were walking down cobblestone streets that felt straight out of Tuscany. The place is called Val'Quirico and it's in Tlaxcala.What looked like a simple day trip for the aesthetic turned out to be a lot more interesting than I expected. There's something behind this village that most people don't know, and it completely changes the way you see it.In this episode I talk about how the trip went, what we found there, including something we didn't see coming at all, and why I think this place is worth keeping an eye on.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: https://mikel.world📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikelMateosC💬 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/hNG6UJXhPY🎒 Fluxer: https://fluxer.gg/bgkcyAQd🐦 X: https://x.com/MikelMateosC📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we explore one of Jeju’s most iconic natural landmarks: Dragon Head Rock, a volcanic formation shaped by wind, sea, and time.What seems like just a rock at first quickly turns into something more when you learn the legend behind it. Local stories describe it as a dragon frozen while trying to ascend to the sky, giving meaning to a place shaped by nature but enriched by culture.Walking along the coast, the experience becomes less about the destination and more about the atmosphere, waves hitting the rocks, fishermen working nearby, and the calm rhythm of the island. It’s a moment to slow down and observe.This chapter is about perspective: how a simple landscape can transform through history, storytelling, and the way we choose to experience it. Sometimes, the quietest places leave the strongest impressions.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the Fluxer community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we explore Mexico City, Gustavo A. Madero through a visit to Acuario Michin, a place that blends education, entertainment, and a connection to nature.Located inside Plaza Tepeyac, this aquarium features multiple ecosystems like jungle, reef, and open sea, where you can discover marine species, reptiles, and even rescued animals under special care. Beyond simply observing, the experience encourages learning about habitats and the role each species plays.The visit also highlights how these spaces can be both educational and recreational, with interactive zones and additional activities that transform the experience into something more than a traditional aquarium.This chapter is a short but meaningful experience: a break within the city to reconnect with nature, learn something new, and explore a different side of Mexico City.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the community🐦 X: @MikelMateosC📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we explore two completely different museums in Jeju, each showing a unique side of culture and society.The first stop is a technology-focused space centered around video games and programming, where we learn about the evolution of computers and interactive entertainment. It’s a place that reflects how modern culture is shaped through innovation and digital experiences.Then, everything shifts. The second museum challenges social norms by addressing topics that are often considered taboo. Through art, education, and direct expression, it opens conversations about human behavior, culture, and the way societies choose to present, or hide, certain subjects.The contrast between both places is what makes this chapter interesting: one represents logic, progress, and structured knowledge; the other explores instinct, emotion, and cultural boundaries.Together, they show that museums are not just about history. They are reflections of how people think, live, and evolve.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the Fluxer community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I travel to California, San Diego in a trip shaped by decisions, unexpected delays, and meaningful moments.What started as a choice between attending an event in Brazil or celebrating my brother’s birthday turned into a journey full of lessons. From the chaotic experience of getting to AIFA to long waits along the way, everything tested my patience before even arriving. Once in San Diego, the focus shifted completely: family, reconnection, and experiencing the city from a different perspective.We visited places like Seaport Village, Sunset Cliffs, and the San Diego Zoo, combining long walks, incredible views, and simple but meaningful moments. I also reflect on traveling with family, adapting to unexpected situations, and appreciating small moments.This episode is about decisions, patience, and connection. Not every trip goes as planned, but sometimes it becomes exactly what you needed.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the community🐦 X: @MikelMateosC📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I arrive in South Korea for the first time, starting in Jeju, a volcanic island known for its calm atmosphere and natural landscapes.From the moment we landed, the experience felt different. Instead of rushing, we walked from the airport, discovering a quieter rhythm of life—unexpected wildlife, empty streets, and a sense of peace that set the tone for the trip.One of the first challenges came almost immediately: communication. Without speaking Korean, even something as simple as ordering food became an experience on its own. What started as a confusing situation in a local BBQ restaurant turned into an unexpected cultural exchange that defined the spirit of the trip.Jeju introduced us to contrasts: peaceful walks, unfamiliar environments, and small moments that quickly turn into lasting memories. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful travel experiences come from situations you didn’t plan.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the Fluxer community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I travel to Hidalgo, Huasca de Ocampo, combining a wedding trip with an unexpected exploration of nature and geology.What started as a quick visit turned into a full experience at the Prismas Basálticos, one of the most iconic natural sites in the region. Walking through waterfalls, rock formations, and peaceful paths gave me a chance to slow down and enjoy the moment before heading back to the city.The episode also dives into the idea of short-distance travel, how places like this can be visited in a single day, even during a busy schedule. Along the way, I reflect on personal moments, reconnecting with friends, and discovering how travel can happen even between responsibilities.This chapter is about balance: work and travel, plans and spontaneity, and how sometimes the best experiences come from trips you didn’t fully plan.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we reach Osaka, the final stop of Japan’s first season. It’s a chapter filled with mixed emotions: excitement for what’s next and the quiet realization that this part of the journey is coming to an end.After leaving Gotemba, we arrive at our apartment near Kyobashi Station, unsure of what to expect. Osaka immediately makes an impression — from the unexpected view of Osaka Castle to everyday details that turn into stories of their own. This episode focuses on settling in, observing the city around the station, and discovering how much personality can exist in small spaces and simple routines.We explore the contrast that defines Osaka: history surrounded by modern life, green spaces next to dense urban areas, and moments that feel both familiar and completely new. The visit to Osaka Castle becomes a point of reflection, connecting places we’ve seen before with everything we’ve learned throughout Japan.This chapter closes the Japan season not with a rush, but with perspective. A calm ending before the journey continues somewhere else — proving once again that travel rarely ends where you expect it to.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I explore Parque Bicentenario in Mexico City, Miguel Hidalgo, a place where nature, culture, and everyday life come together.Going in without expectations turned into a full experience: sports areas, family gatherings, picnic spots, and spaces like the Orquidario, where passion and knowledge transform a simple visit into something memorable.This episode is a reminder that sometimes you don’t need to travel far to disconnect. Places like this offer a pause from the fast pace of the city and a chance to slow down and enjoy the moment.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we finally make it to Dotonbori, although not in the way we originally planned. What started as a random metro ride with the intention of getting lost turned into an unexpected arrival at one of Osaka’s most active and social districts.This chapter is about chance and curiosity. From trusting a stranger’s directions to realizing we had arrived at the exact place we planned to visit another day, Dotonbori unfolded naturally. Walking its streets, entering massive stores, sitting by the river and trying food without overthinking became the core of the experience.Rather than following an itinerary, this episode captures how some of the best moments happen when you let go of plans, say yes to detours, and allow the city to guide you. Dotonbori wasn’t conquered — it was stumbled upon, one snack and one step at a time.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I share a different kind of experience in Mexico City, Miguel Hidalgo, working behind the scenes at Expo Citibanamex during “The Logistics World”.Instead of traditional tourism, this chapter focuses on what happens behind large-scale events: coordinating routes, transporting hundreds of people, and dealing with the constant pressure of time and movement across the city. From long transfers to unexpected chaos, it became an intense but eye-opening experience.This episode also connects with personal memories tied to this venue, like attending the Electronic Game Show and other events that shaped different moments of my life.This chapter is about perspective, understanding a city not just by exploring it, but by working within it and seeing how everything operates behind the scenes.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we visit Nara, a place where the boundaries between nature, people and everyday life feel unusually close. After the structured calm of Kyoto, Nara offered a softer, more open environment that encouraged interaction rather than observation.This chapter is about coexistence. Wide paths, open spaces and a slower rhythm create an atmosphere where encounters feel natural and unforced. Nara isn’t about rushing from one point to another — it’s about moving at the pace of what surrounds you and adjusting to it.Being in Nara highlighted how travel doesn’t always mean discovery through distance. Sometimes it’s about closeness, simplicity and allowing yourself to be present without expectation. This episode captures that quieter kind of experience.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I continue exploring Mexico City by boroughs, this time walking through Miguel Hidalgo with a plan that quickly changed along the way.What started as a casual walk through Polanco turned into an exploration of embassies, consulates, and international cultural spaces. Without appointments or a fixed route, I approached different diplomatic offices trying to understand how cultures connect within the city.Between unexpected responses, closed doors, and a few open ones, I discovered how complex and interesting it can be to access these spaces. From small communities to offices that no longer host cultural activities, each stop revealed a different perspective on what it means to represent a country abroad.But beyond embassies, the most meaningful part of the day came from human encounters: spontaneous conversations, life stories, and an unexpected visit to a home filled with art and global influences.This episode is a reminder that exploring a city is also about discovering the people and cultures that shape it every day.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the Fluxer community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we arrive in Kyoto, a city that feels fundamentally different from everywhere else we had visited so far in Japan. After movement-heavy days and constant transitions, Kyoto introduced a sense of continuity — streets, structures and spaces that carry history without needing explanation.This chapter is about pace and presence. Kyoto invites you to walk more slowly, to pay attention to details, and to respect the rhythm of a city shaped by tradition. Instead of reacting to what’s around you, you start anticipating it: quieter streets, older neighborhoods and a way of moving that feels intentional rather than rushed.Kyoto didn’t feel like a place to conquer or decode. It felt like a place to observe, absorb and accept as it is. This episode captures that shift — when travel becomes less about movement and more about awareness.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we begin exploring Mexico City borough by borough, starting with Miguel Hidalgo and one of the city’s most recognizable cultural areas: Plaza Carso.During this visit we explored three places located within the same complex: Museo Soumaya, Acuario Inbursa, and the interactive aquarium inside Plaza Carso. What started as a simple plan to finally visit an aquarium turned into a full day of art, science, and unexpected discoveries.The underground aquarium features large tanks filled with sharks, turtles, and many species of fish, while the interactive aquarium focuses more on education, conservation, and environmental awareness. This second space also includes one of Mexico’s most beloved creatures: the axolotl, a species that has become both a cultural icon and a symbol of conservation.After exploring marine life, we stepped into the Museo Soumaya, famous for its distinctive architecture and massive private collection of around 66,000 pieces of art. Walking through its six floors felt like revisiting many of the art movements I studied years ago, from European masters to modern Mexican art and Rodin’s sculptures.Between aquariums, art, and family conversations about culture and education, this episode marks the beginning of exploring Mexico City from within, one borough at a time.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community🎒 Fluxer: Join the Fluxer community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we travel to Gotemba, a place that feels intentionally removed from the density and rhythm of Tokyo. After days of movement, trains and constant stimuli, Gotemba offered distance — both physical and mental.This chapter is about contrast. Wider spaces, fewer people and a slower tempo created a different way of experiencing Japan. Being outside the city made time feel less compressed and allowed for observation without urgency. Gotemba wasn’t about ticking off locations; it was about changing perspective.This episode captures the importance of leaving major cities during a trip. Sometimes understanding a country means stepping away from its center and letting the surroundings reset how you experience everything else.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I reflect on the last moments of the trip and the unexpected conversations that often become the most memorable part of traveling.While in Monterrey, I originally wanted to conduct a few interviews, but approaching strangers can be difficult for me. However, an unexpected conversation with an Uber driver named Ozi turned into a spontaneous interview about music, tattoos, traveling, and even the curious cultural tensions that sometimes exist between different cities within the same country.The episode also covers the journey back home: taking a night bus to San Luis Potosí, waiting at the bus terminal, meeting people along the way, and the final challenge of recovering my mom’s truck before returning to Mexico City.To close the Monterrey chapter, I share my overall impressions of the city: a place full of contrasts between industrial history, mountains, caves, parks, and urban development. From places like Fundidora Park to the food, markets, and people we met along the way, Monterrey proved to be a destination with many layers and much more left to explore.Because in the end, travel is not only about the places we visit, but also about the conversations and stories we encounter along the road.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I talk about Tokyo in a very honest way: not as a perfectly planned destination, but as a city we mostly experienced by wandering, taking trains without overthinking, and letting curiosity guide the day.Because of how we explored, memories from Tokyo sometimes blend together — stations, neighborhoods, random stops that weren’t on any itinerary. And that’s exactly what defined this part of the trip. Tokyo isn’t a city you fully control; it’s a city you move through. With hundreds of train and metro lines, getting lost is easy — and for me, that was part of the fun.This episode focuses on everyday moments: eating inside stations, discovering how entire mini-cities exist underground, walking alone through non-touristy areas, and realizing that Tokyo reveals itself slowly when you stop chasing landmarks. It’s a chapter about observation, small encounters, and learning to feel comfortable not knowing exactly where you are.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I talk about gastronomy in Nuevo León, focusing on the food experiences we had in Monterrey and its surroundings.I’ll start with a confession: I’m Mexican… and I don’t eat chili or spicy sauces. Because of that, this episode became a very honest look at what it’s like to try everything anyway, even when it pushes you outside your comfort zone.Throughout the trip, we visited traditional restaurants, cantinas with decades of history, casual diners, and street food spots. None of these are paid promotions, every place was recommended by friends or family, or we simply walked in and decided to eat there.From classic breakfast spots and 24-hour restaurants, to century-old cantinas with strong traditions, unexpected restaurant experiences in Santiago, iconic Monterrey institutions like cabrito, and street snacks like tostilocos, this episode is about food as culture, memory, and social space.These are personal experiences, not reviews. Taste changes, contexts matter, and revisiting a dish or a place can completely change your opinion. The goal is not to judge, but to invite curiosity: to try new things, even if you’re not sure you’ll love them.Food is one of the most direct ways to understand a place, and Nuevo León definitely left an impression.🔗 Follow me and join the community: 🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we travel to Nikko, a place that feels completely removed from the pace of Tokyo. After navigating busy stations and constant movement, Nikko offered a shift toward silence, nature and reflection.This chapter focuses on contrast. Forest paths, cooler air and historic spaces create an atmosphere where Japan feels older, calmer and more grounded. Being in Nikko wasn’t about rushing from point to point, but about walking, observing and letting the environment guide the experience.Nikko helped rebalance the trip. It reminded me that Japan isn’t only neon lights and efficiency — it’s also deep history, quiet moments and landscapes that invite you to slow down and listen. This episode marks a pause before returning to more intense cities and experiences.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I explore San Pedro Garza García, one of the most well-known and economically influential areas in Nuevo León. Often labeled as exclusive or luxury-focused, San Pedro reveals much more once you slow down and walk through it.Staying in this area allowed me to experience its balance between urban development and nature. From wide avenues like Calzada San Pedro and Calzada del Valle, to parks filled with greenery, informational signs about local flora and fauna, and people exercising, walking dogs, or simply enjoying the outdoors, the city shows a quieter, more grounded side.I also visit Parque Rufino Tamayo, where unexpected activities like disc golf coexist with daily routines, and Museo La Milarca, a private collection that left all of us impressed, especially considering it was once someone’s personal collection. The episode also touches on nightlife, shopping spaces like Fashion Drive, and how San Pedro offers very different experiences depending on how and where you choose to spend your time.This chapter is about contrasts: wealth and simplicity, routine and discovery, museums and parks. A reminder that places often have more layers than their reputation suggests.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we arrive in Shinagawa, one of the major transportation hubs of Tokyo and a place defined by constant movement. After the calm of Hitachi, Shinagawa felt like a shift in energy — faster, louder, and more demanding.This chapter is about transition. Trains, platforms, crowds and schedules all converge in a space where people are always going somewhere else. Shinagawa wasn’t about staying, but about learning how to move within Japan’s systems: understanding directions, timing, and the unspoken rules that keep everything flowing.Being in Shinagawa made it clear that Japan requires awareness and adaptability. It’s a place where you don’t stop to look around — you learn by keeping up. This episode marks the moment when the trip stopped being slow observation and started becoming active navigation.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I explore the markets of Nuevo León, moving through very different environments that, at first glance, might feel unrelated, but are deeply connected by the people who bring them to life.From Mercado Juárez in downtown Monterrey, to temporary stalls in the Macroplaza, the small market in Santiago, and the open-air gathering spaces of San Pedro Garza García, each market has its own rhythm, layout, and atmosphere. Some are permanent, others appear only at certain times of the year, but all of them share something essential: families, friends, vendors, and locals creating moments of community through daily life.Walking through these spaces, I notice how markets are more than places to buy things. They’re places where traditions continue, small businesses are born, and people gather simply to walk, talk, eat, and spend time together. Whether it’s candy stalls, bakeries that have survived for generations, handmade crafts, or street food, every stop reveals a different side of the city.This episode is less about what you buy, and more about what you feel—how markets reflect the character of a place and the people who call it home.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we arrive in Hitachi, a coastal city that quietly became our first real window into everyday life in Japan. After the intensity of arrival, Hitachi offered something essential: time to slow down and observe.This chapter isn’t about famous landmarks or packed itineraries. It’s about trains that arrive on time, neighborhoods that feel lived in, and the subtle differences that start to reveal how Japan functions beyond what most visitors expect. Walking through the city, using local transportation, and simply being present helped the country begin to make sense.Hitachi — a place to adjust mentally, understand the rhythm of daily life, and prepare for the faster, louder cities that would come later. Sometimes the most important parts of a trip happen where nothing “big” is supposed to happen.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I step outside the city to explore ecotourism in Nuevo León, visiting some of the most impressive natural areas surrounding Monterrey.I start with Chipinque, a massive natural reserve where I hike a 10 km circuit alongside my mom and Luis—no special training, just patience, steady pacing, and a lot of elevation. The trail takes us through steep climbs, narrow rocky paths, unexpected workout “stations,” and even a close encounter with local wildlife that reminds you who really owns the mountain.The journey continues south to Santiago, a Pueblo Mágico that blends small-town life with nature. From the Cola de Caballo Waterfall to its compact historic center, this stop becomes a mix of short hikes, scenic viewpoints, and the kind of food stops you only discover by walking around without rushing.To close the episode, I visit La Huasteca, a place that feels less like a destination and more like a reminder of scale—towering mountains, broken roads reclaimed by nature, and views that make you pause and look inward.This chapter isn’t about conquering nature—it’s about moving through it slowly, respecting it, and realizing that incredible landscapes can exist just minutes away from a major city.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, Japan officially begins. After months of planning and expectations, we land and face the first real moments of adaptation: navigating an unfamiliar system, making quick decisions, and realizing that everything—from movement to communication—works differently here.This chapter focuses on arrival, not attractions. It’s about the emotional and mental shift that happens when the trip stops being an idea and becomes daily reality. The airport, the first routes, the initial logistics, and the quiet pressure of figuring things out set the tone for everything that follows.An episode about starting from zero, observing before acting, and understanding that the journey truly begins the moment you step into a place that doesn’t bend to your habits.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I continue exploring Nuevo León from downtown Monterrey—but this time, I’m not focusing on museums. Instead, I talk about tourist tastes: what different people look for when they travel, and how those preferences quietly decide your route.For me, traveling is a lot of walking, nature, and observing everyday life. For my mom, churches are a must—especially because she’s an art restorer and she notices details most people walk right past. So this chapter becomes a mix of parks, greenery, historic streets, and a church-hopping route that reveals how varied downtown Monterrey can be in just a few blocks.We move through key areas like Macroplaza, talk about how the city feels on foot, and how public spaces shift from quiet corners to crowded event zones. I also share small discoveries that made the day memorable: striking architecture, unexpected contrasts between churches, the way Monterrey connects (or doesn’t) without a car, and the kind of family “navigation drama” that only happens when you travel together.This is a long episode with a lot of walking, observations, and gossip—built around one simple idea: the same city can feel completely different depending on what you’re looking for.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I talk about something simple that ends up defining the entire journey: the backpack. Before arriving in China, before understanding the language or the rhythm of the country, everything depended on what I decided to carry with me.This chapter is not a packing list, but a reflection on priorities. What do you really need when you don’t know what’s coming next? What stays, what gets left behind, and how those choices affect the way you move, adapt and react once the trip begins.The backpack became a constant companion through uncertainty, long walks, crowded cities and unexpected situations. This episode is about preparation in a more personal sense — understanding that what you carry, physically and mentally, shapes how you experience a place like China.🔗 Follow me and join the community: 🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I start exploring Nuevo León from the heart of Monterrey: downtown, Macroplaza, and the museums that shape how the city tells its story. This was Day 1 of the trip, and because everything is close, it turned into a full day of walking, observing, and learning.I talk about moving through the area by metro and on foot, the feeling of downtown Monterrey compared to other parts of the city, and how certain places carry layers of time—traditions, architecture, and everyday life all stacked together. Along the way, I visit three key museums: Museo del Palacio, Museo de Historia Mexicana, and Museo del Noreste, each one offering a different way of organizing information and shaping your perspective.This chapter isn’t just about exhibits—it’s about how we interpret history, how design choices inside museums change what we understand, and how a simple walk can turn into a deeper conversation. We also end with Paseo Santa Lucía, the walkway that connects downtown with Parque Fundidora and adds another layer to how Monterrey is experienced: as a place to move, reflect, and connect.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I talk about something that rarely gets mentioned when we discuss travel: everything that can go wrong before the trip even starts. This chapter isn’t about arriving in China yet — it’s about the difficult decisions, uncertainty and emotional weight that came before stepping on the plane.After securing flights far in advance, the reality of booking accommodations collided with an unexpected opportunity in my acting career. Balancing professional growth, personal dreams and commitments to friends turned preparation into a stressful and confusing process. Excitement, anxiety, frustration and hope all existed at the same time.This episode is about risk, timing and understanding that trips don’t always begin with excitement alone. Sometimes they begin with doubt, uncomfortable choices and the feeling that everything could fall apart at any moment. China officially starts here — not with arrival, but with the struggle to even make the journey happen.🔗 Follow me and join the community: 🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, we begin the Mexico season in Nuevo León, starting with our journey toward Monterrey. Traveling through my own country changes the way I experience places, and this chapter begins not at the destination, but on the road that leads there.What was planned as a straightforward drive from Mexico City to Monterrey slowly turned into an unexpected detour that reshaped the beginning of the season. From route planning and transportation decisions to long hours on the highway, this episode reflects how travel stories often begin long before arriving at a city.This chapter sets the tone for exploring Nuevo León: familiar territory seen with fresh eyes, unexpected challenges, and the reminder that sometimes the journey itself becomes the story. Monterrey was waiting, but the road already had plenty to tell.🔗 Follow me and join the community:🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, the journey toward China officially begins — not by arriving, but by preparing. This chapter focuses on everything that happens before stepping into a country that feels distant, complex and, in many ways, unknown.I talk about expectations, assumptions and the mental preparation that came with planning this part of the trip. China wasn’t just another stop; it represented a cultural shift, a language barrier, and a different way of moving through the world. Research, logistics, conversations and doubts all played a role in shaping how we approached what was coming next.This episode is about that in-between space: when the trip hasn’t started yet, but it already lives in your head. It’s about anticipation, uncertainty and realizing that sometimes the hardest part of a journey is not the distance, but preparing yourself to experience something completely unfamiliar.🔗 Follow me and join the community: 🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

In this episode of DeMochilas, I explain how this podcast is structured and what you can expect from the journey ahead. Before diving fully into destinations, stories and anecdotes, I wanted to clearly lay out how the chapters, seasons and special episodes will work.I talk about how each season is built around a trip, how past journeys will be revisited with perspective and storytelling, and how future seasons will evolve into live, present-time travels. This episode sets the rhythm of the podcast: slow moments, intense days, mistakes, learning curves and reflections that happen both on the road and afterward.This chapter is about context. It’s about understanding why some episodes focus on preparation, others on movement, others on reflection — and how all of them connect to form a bigger picture. DeMochilas isn’t just about where I go, but how each journey is experienced and shared.🔗 Follow me and join the community: 🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos

Welcome to DeMochilas. In this first episode, I introduce myself and share the starting point of this project: who I am, where I come from, and why traveling, learning and observing the world became such an important part of my life.I talk about my background as an actor, how stepping into different characters shaped the way I see people, cultures and motivations, and how curiosity slowly turned into a need to explore beyond what is familiar. This episode also lays the foundation for what DeMochilas is about: sharing trips, stories, mistakes, learning processes and human experiences from different parts of the world.I explain how the podcast will be structured, the past trips we’ll revisit, and how future seasons will evolve into live journeys. This chapter isn’t about a destination yet — it’s about opening the backpack, setting intentions, and inviting you to walk alongside me as these stories unfold.🔗 Follow me and join the community: 🌐 Web: mikel.world📺 YouTube: @MikelMateosC💬 Discord: Join the community📸 Instagram: @mikel.mateos🎵 TikTok: @mikelmateos🎮 Twitch: @MikelMateos